Masquerade Mingle

[thespaceopera]

[The night has finally come--the Gravity Rush is nearly upon us! What normally serves as a large performance hall has been gutted, emptied of its boring furniture and rigged up into a fantastical mismatch of technology and old culture. No matter where you go tonight, you're encouraged to move around, dance, play games, whatever helps you sleep in late tomorrow morning.

If you aren't one for scurrying around a ballroom all night, there's always plenty of people-watching to do. After all, so many people are wearing extravagant costumes and elaborate masks. How can you even tell who is who? Get lost in a crowd of sequins, chatter with a sun and a moon, or try to beat the guy in the monster-mask at a game of cards. Meet your friends or make some new ones--this masquerade party has begun!]


[[ooc: All sections are up now, have fun! A related ooc post is HERE for any questions or plotting you'd like to do.]]

Comments

[precedented]

Ghanima is my twin sister.

[ He hums lightly. ] I was fortunate to have her.

[universal_charm]

Twin sister? I didn't know you had a sibling.

<sub>[ He almost wanted to ask if she too had to the wormskin, but he'd told himself not to ask or speak about it tonight, not when they were having fun.

Instead he shifted their stances, stepping in so he could wrap his arms around Leto's shoulders as they swayed. The past tense had not gone unnoticed either, and he felt unsure of asking, of bringing up sad memories. ]</sub>

Come on, you two must have gotten up to more than just sneaking out.

[precedented]

Oh, many many things. But probably unsuitable to the public.

[ He wonders if Jim will catch onto that. He hasn't told many people about his love for Ghanima, the same love she holds for him. It goes beyond familial and romantic love. She was his half, his soul, his heart. As rich as a picture he might paint, Leto is only in full light when Ghanima is there. ]

[universal_charm]

_{[ It wasn't enough for him to catch it, not really. He raised a brow though, more curious than anything now. ]}

Come on, you can't say something like that and not expand on it! That's just being cruel.

[precedented]

I never claimed to be otherwise.

[ He does a twirl, palm against palm. His steps echo the beat. ] We were in love. Are in love. Always in love. Like twin stars in orbit.

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ That catches him by surprise and his eyebrows raise before he can school his expression. Incest was taboo on his world, for a variety of reasons, and he could not quite kick his initial reaction to it. He reminded himself that Leto came from another world, a different culture, and that Leto was... different. He knew he was, simply from what the man had told him and his own experiences with him.

If he was like Leto, would he had turned to a sibling to find acceptance and love? Leto was royalty, after all. He doubted it was like the fairy tales where he could find it in someone of lower station. When he reasoned it out, it made a sort of sense that he would turn to the person who shared his blood for comfort and affection. It did not make it any less strange to his mind, but neither did he pull away from Leto, following his lead and moving in close when he was able as they stepped. ]</sub>

I can't say I quite understand. My own sibling and I were never - will never be - so close.

_{[ There was a beat as turned over words, words he felt true for only having known Leto for such a short time. ]}

I'm glad you aren't alone, though. That you have someone like that.

[precedented]

[ He lets his fingers brush against Jim's neck, half in apology and in thanks. He knows it is not easy knowledge to digest. ]

You have something like that too. Your ship, your people. When you see them, it's like coming home.

[universal_charm]

_{[ A shiver runs through him at that though, from delight rather than disgust. Who was he to question how Leto had coped? He had it rough enough with his fate hanging over his head. He did not want to burden him further, and would not abandon his friend for simply not understanding. ]}

Heh, that's right. They... they're the only real family I've ever had. They and the Enterprise are my home.

[precedented]

Family is what you make of it. At least that is what I have learned.

[ Leto's feelings on his family are complex, twisted beyond recognition. He loved them, fiercely, intensely. He would save them all if he could. But he would just as easily condemn them for their part in his doom, in the doom of all things.

Alia's broken body on the floor, as she whispers, wishing for her brother stays in his mind. Leto cannot hate. He doesn't have the capacity to curse or wish ill on anyone, but in that moment, the tragedy of it all overwhelmed him.

But such thoughts slipped by him, like sand. He was not unhappy and he shows that by pressing a kiss to Kirk's cheek, a royal boon. ]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He smiled and nodded, humming when the other man kissed his cheek. His smile softened and he turned so that his lips brushed Leto's, bumping their foreheads tenderly. ]}

You're right. You don't need blood to be family. You just have to care about each other.

_{[ Blue eyes looked into Leto's, thumb brushing back and forth where he gripped his shoulder. ]}

One day I hope you'll let met count you amongst mine, and me among yours.

[precedented]

[ That declaration takes him off guard. He doesn't know what to say, and it shows. Leto is rarely at a loss for words. ]

You do not want that, I think.

[ It's like saying you want to hang out in Westeros. ]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He huffed, giving him a soft smile. ]}

I wouldn't ask if I did not want it. You've been a good friend to me here, Leto. That's just about the only qualification I need.

[precedented]

[ Being a good friend is certainly not something Leto hears often. Though he has had close friends before so it is not unbelievable. ]

Ah. Well, then you are welcome.

[universal_charm]

Sorry, am I get a little to personal?

_{[ His brow creased, slightly worried. ]}

[precedented]

[ He shakes his head, before laughing softly. ]

No. It's just been some time since I've heard anyone say that.

[universal_charm]

Well, hopefully it's made your night. Or, you know, at least been a highlight.

_{[ And he leaned in, kissing him a bit more firmly on the lips. ]}

[precedented]

[ Leto's amusement deepens his cheeks as he kisses back, curling his arms around Jim's neck. ]

[universal_charm]

_{[ When he pulls back he is smiling, his laugh a warm breath between them as they sway to the beat of the music - or he thinks they are anyways. It doesn't much matter at this point anymore. ]}

If nothing else comes of this whole experience, I will forever be grateful to have met people like you, Leto.

[precedented]

[ His lips quirk at Jim's good mood. ]

Well. There aren't many people like me.

[universal_charm]

Haha, no, no there is definitely not. But I like it like that. I don't need more people, I just need a few amazing people.

[precedented]

[ He touches Jim's cheek lightly. ]

Is that really what you need?

[universal_charm]

People whom I can trust, and count on? Whom I can confide in? Absolutely.

_{[ He reached up to touch his fingers to Leto's on his cheek. ]}

That counts as amazing, in my book.

[precedented]

You were not destined to be alone.

[ He hums lightly. ] Though command might feel lonely.